Saguaro National Park in Arizona would be expanded and New River Gorge National River in West Virginia would be renamed under the omnibus bill Congress was trying to vote on Monday.
There was concern voiced by some members of Congress over being asked to digest a bill that ran more than 5,500 pages and wasn't available for their review until Monday afternoon. A House committee reportedly was considering a stop-gap funding bill to give Congress a week to review the omnibus bill, while a computer glitch that delayed release of the thick measure meant the House wouldn't get around to voting on it at least until 10 p.m. Eastern Monday.
Under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, Saguaro would gain roughly 1,152 acres. New River Gorge, meanwhile, would be redesignated as a "national park and preserve," which would allow for hunting in the preserve section of the park.
The bill also would allow the Interior Department to acquire up to 100 acres from willing sellers to create additional parking for New River Gorge.
“Saguaro is already a popular destination for Arizonans and visitors from around the world, and this is an exciting opportunity to permanently protect open space and provide more recreational opportunities in such an important landscape," said U.S. Rep. Raúl Grijalva, D-Arizona, who sponsored the expansion legislaion. "This expansion will benefit people and nature by increasing parkland in southern Arizona, improving wildlife habitats, and connecting recreational trails all at the same time."
Across the country in West Virginia, the park's name would change slightly and hunting would be permitted in part of it.
“New River Gorge is a national treasure, with miles of breathtaking forests full of diverse wildlife and some of America’s most distinct history," said Joy M. Oakes, senior mid-Atlantic director for the National Parks Conservation Association. "Today’s action increases recognition of West Virginia’s remarkable natural and cultural wonders along the New River, making it an even more special place to live and to visit."
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Comments
The national park designation has become a ploy to attract tourist dollars and nothing more. Congress should relinquish its ability to designate parks to the NPS. I become more and more disheartened as the years go by and more and more undeserving parks are added. The fact that New River Gorge shares the same designation as Yellowstone is pathetic. The fact that Gateway Arch shares the same designation as the Grand Canyon is laughable.